Kyrgyz Rights Activist Says Uzbeks Blocked Entry

BISHKEK -- Prominent Kyrgyz human rights activist Tolekan Ismailova says she was denied entry into Uzbekistan because of her professional activities.

Ismailova, the leader of the group "Bir Duyno-Kyrgyzstan" (One World Kyrgyzstan), was detained at Tashkent's airport after arriving late on June 24.

She was released and flew to Almaty, Kazakhstan, returning to Bishkek a day later.

Ismailova speculated to RFE/RL on June 26 that she must have been added to Uzbekistan's "blacklist" because of her involvement in investigations into the violent government attack on demonstrators in the Uzbek city of Andijon in 2005.

Hundreds of protesters were reportedly gunned down by security forces.

Ismailova added that during her last visit to Tashkent in 2009 to support female rights activists, she was followed by Uzbek security-service agents.